How to Dress for Winter Survival: Mastering the Art of Layering

Have you ever had that dream where you find yourself standing in front of a group of people in just your underwear? I am not complaining, but as I stood there in the snow, wearing my long underwear, looking at 45 students, I wondered how many people’s worst nightmare ended up as the introduction to our Winter Basic Class at The Survival University.

As the cold wind blew against me, I glanced at my warm clothes stacked on a wool blanket in the snow. That is when I remembered the conversation that led to this moment.

“Hutch, these people are cold. Their gear from... that one store... is not working,” Jason said, eyeing the sky where storm clouds were beginning to form.

“Do you want me to build a fire, boss?” I asked, already thinking of the best winter fire to build for a group this size.

“No,” he replied. “I want you to show them how to dress. If not, we will not get anything done today.”

This was a class for outdoor enthusiasts with experience in the wilderness. It made us realize that even people with a lot of wilderness experience sometimes need a refresher on the basics of staying warm. Dressing right is not just about warmth; it is also about comfort and the ability to do what we love in cold weather.

When winter sets in and temperatures drop, knowing how to dress properly for survival is very important. Whether you are heading into the wilderness or just trying to stay warm in everyday life, learning how to layer your clothing makes all the difference. In this article, we will break down the key layers you need to stay warm and dry. We will also explain important concepts like wicking, wetting, winding, and warming layers.

The Importance of Layering

In cold weather, it is important to dress in layers. This allows you to adjust your clothing as your body heats up or cools down throughout the day. Key Concept: The key to staying warm is not wearing one big heavy coat. It is far more efficient to work on building a system of layers that work together to regulate your temperature. Layers do a better job of trapping heat and allowing moisture to escape, which helps prevent you from getting too cold or too sweaty. Layers also adjust to your level of physical activity, allowing you to control sweating and warmth far better than a single warm layer could ever do.

Key Concepts: Wicking, Warming, Wetting, and Winding Layers

Before we dive into how to layer your clothing, it is important to understand a few key ideas that will help you stay warm in cold weather. These concepts will make it easier to build an effective winter clothing system.

1. Wicking: Wicking is the ability of a fabric to pull moisture away from your skin. In cold weather, keeping your skin dry is very important. Wet skin can cause you to lose heat quickly, which can lead to hypothermia. Fabrics like merino wool, certain synthetic materials, and blends are designed to draw moisture away from your body, keeping you dry and warm. Think of a candle wick—it pulls wax the same way wicking fabric pulls moisture from your skin. The better the material at wicking moisture, the drier and warmer you will stay. Not only does it absorb moisture, but it also needs to release it, which is why choosing the right fabric is so important. More on that later.
   

Much like a candle wick sucks up the wax to prolong the flame, your wicking layer needs to suck up and release moisture to prolong warmth.

2. Warming: Warming layers are made from materials that trap heat and hold it close to your body. These layers are important for staying warm in extremely cold conditions. Materials like down, fleece, and thick wool are great examples of warming layers. The key to these layers is something called "dead air space." This is the space between the fibers of the fabric that traps warm air close to your body. Just like the insulation in the walls of your house, the fluffier the material, the more heat it can trap. Your coat or sleeping bag might feel cold when you first pick it up, but as your body generates heat, it gets trapped in those fluffy layers, keeping you warm. The key to staying warm is trapping this heat and holding onto it for as long as possible.
   

A good warming layer is all about releasing moisture and insulating heat. This means it will hold heat in, but it will also hold heat out. This student will be warmer if she opens her coat to allow heat from the fire in.

3. Wetting: Wetting happens when your clothing absorbs too much moisture, either from sweat or from external sources like rain or snow. Wet clothing makes you feel much colder and increases the risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Once your clothes get wet, they lose their ability to wick moisture or trap heat. Even before your clothes freeze, the moisture inside them can steal your body heat. Water absorbs heat 25 times faster than air, which makes it a great conductor of cold. When the moisture replaces the dead air space in your insulation, it speeds up the cooling process. As your body heat gets pulled away by the water, you can get cold incredibly fast. That is why an old saying in the mountains is, “Wet is cold, and cold is dead.”

Holding out moisture and wind is one of the most important parts of making your layers work. A trash bag works in a pinch, but even better would be a system that holds out moisture and air while allowing your own body’s moisture to escape.

4. Winding: Winding refers to the wind’s ability to pull heat away from your body. When the wind blows, it can make the air feel much colder than the actual temperature. This is called the "wind chill" effect. To protect yourself from this, you need to wear windproof layers that shield your body from the wind. By blocking the wind, your insulation layers can do their job more effectively. In many cases, just one layer to protect you from the wind can make you feel much warmer.

Using your layers properly allows you to adventure in almost any situation without losing mobility, and staying perfectly warm.

Now that we have looked at the types of layers we need, let us look at putting them together to make an incredibly warm and useful layering system.

The Base Layer: Underwear and Skin Protection

There is no proof that having Gnomes on your base layer keeps you warmer, but there is no proof that it does not either. What you do want is a layer that insulates and wicks moisture. Avoid Cotton; Silk, Wool, and Synthetics do well.

The base layer is your first line of defense against the cold. This layer should consist of moisture-wicking fabrics that sit directly against your skin. A good base layer helps to keep your skin dry and comfortable by pulling moisture away from your body. Common materials for base layers include merino wool and synthetic fabrics like polyester. These fabrics are breathable and have good moisture-wicking properties, which prevent sweat from building up and cooling your body down.

The purpose of this layer is to keep the skin dry, but we must choose a material that will also keep us warm while wicking away or absorbing body moisture into its fibers. Cotton is a terrible choice for the base layer. Cotton swells when it is wet and loses the ability to insulate us, it holds onto this moisture and increases our body’s ability to lose heat to evaporative cooling. Unlike cotton, wool can absorb a great deal of moisture without feeling wet. Wool also continues to insulate as long as it is not completely saturated and even releases some heat while drying out. I am a big fan of wool, but there are many synthetic materials that have similar properties.

Picking the correct material is part of the battle.   It is also rather important to pick the correct size with your base layer. Your base layer should have long legs and long sleeves, so no wool shorts or t-shirts for this layer. In addition to length, the base layer should fit in such a way that it does not ride up, or bunch when you move. It should also not slide down, leading you to constant wardrobe adjusting. A good fit will not slide up or down, will not bunch up, there will be no untucking or exposed skin as you move, and it will not be so tight or form-fitting as to limit blood flow. Remember blood transfers heat through the body, so we do not want any layer to limit blood flow in any way if possible.

The Mid Layer: Sweaters, Fleece, and Shirts

If it is extremely cold I add a pair of wool pants to this layer, most of the time a wool sweater or two, plus a down or synthetic vest is plenty.

The mid-layer serves to provide insulation, trapping the warmth your body generates. This layer can be made from materials like fleece, synthetic fabrics, or wool. Fleece is lightweight and provides a high warmth-to-weight ratio, making it a popular choice for mid-layers. The mid-layer is the main layer for maintaining your core temperature. Without it, you may struggle to stay warm in the long run.

Wool is a fantastic option for the mid-layer, especially in very cold conditions, because it provides excellent warmth and remains insulating even when damp. However, synthetic materials like polyester and fleece can offer a similar effect, but often at a lower weight. If you prefer synthetics to wool, just be cautious when enjoying your firecraft. Many synthetics can melt to your skin, or burn holes with even small sparks from your fire. One more reason that many of us prefer wool is the fabric's ability to work closely around the fire without melting or becoming filled with spark holes.

The Outer Layer: Shell Jackets, Anoraks, and Wind Trousers

The outer layer is your protective shell that shields you from wind, rain, and snow. A windproof jacket or anorak (a type of waterproof parka) is critical for protecting your body from the chilling effects of the wind. Bill Standing-Water used to say, "When the wind picks up, you can lose heat rapidly, so the outer layer is vital." Make sure your jacket is both waterproof and breathable to allow moisture from your body to escape while preventing rain or snow from getting in.

Wind trousers also fall into this category. These pants are designed to keep the wind from reaching your legs and to protect you from wet conditions. Whether you are hiking, skiing, or simply out in the snow, your outer layer will be your best defense against the elements. This outer layer makes it possible for the wicking and warming layers to do their job by “shielding” them from the environment.

Many people put on layer after layer of insulating layers and remain chilled because convection, heat leaving as air moves over your body, is extremely powerful. If you have a good base layer and mid layer, a simple wind jacket will do far more than you might expect as far as feeling warm goes. Mors Kochanski used to advise not going over 4cm thickness in layers, even in the dead of winter in the boreal forest. It is not about more layers, so much as it is about using the layers properly. This will not only allow you to be warmer, but you can carry less and have more movement and dexterity on adventures.

A good pair of GorTex or Ventile makes up your outer layer. The goal is to release moisture while holding moisture out too. That is not enough though, we also have to make sure the wind is not stealing our heat from the insulating layers.

Avoid the temptation to dress up like Randy from “A Christmas Story.” Loss of mobility is dangerous and overheating causes sweating. Sweating makes us wet, and wet makes us cold.

The Reinforcement Layer: Down Jackets

The reinforcement layer is the final layer that provides extra warmth when temperatures drop to extreme lows, or when you have a drastic change in your physical activity. A down jacket is an excellent choice for this layer. Down is a natural insulator that traps air and helps to keep you warm. Down jackets are a nice piece of survival clothing because they offer a high level of warmth without adding too much weight.

However, keep in mind that down can lose its insulating properties when wet, so make a rule to keep this layer dry. If you expect to be in wet conditions for an extended period, synthetic insulation may be a better choice for the reinforcement layer because it retains its warmth even when damp.

This layer would be the add-on you use when you are sitting around camp or settling down for the night. You might need to open this layer when sleeping next to a fire. A good reinforcement layer will hold heat out as well as in. One great way to test your system is to walk up to a campfire. If you feel the heat right away, your layers are losing heat. You should only feel the heat on your exposed skin at first, as you sit by the fire you will feel warmth, but a proper reinforcement layer is still holding some out. If you find yourself sleeping next to a nying or long fire, unzip this layer and point your open portion towards the fire.

I prefer a double or single layered capote, like the ones we make in the 5 day intermediate class, but a good dog sled coat makes a great reinforcement layer too.

Wool vs Cotton vs Synthetic Materials

When choosing winter clothing, the type of material you use is essential. Wool, cotton, and synthetic materials each have their pros and cons:

• Wool: Wool is an excellent choice for cold weather because it is naturally insulating and moisture-wicking. It also retains warmth even when wet, which makes it a popular option for base and mid-layers. However, it can be heavy and take longer to dry than synthetic fabrics.       Wool is handy on long-term adventures too. In addition to the warming properties, wool has chemical reactions with moisture, lanolin, and creatine. These reactions actually break down our body's secretions and can reduce or kill germs causing body odor and sickness.
• Cotton: Cotton should be avoided as a winter clothing material. It retains moisture and takes a long time to dry. When wet, cotton can sap your body heat, increasing your risk of hypothermia. As a general rule, "Avoid cotton in cold weather at all costs." We will be writing a blog shortly addressing the myths and truths to the saying “cotton kills” and there we will address special cotton exceptions like Ventile, which is rather effective in your layering system. Remember the popular dogma against cotton applies to most of our day-to-day cotton products, but there are some rather important exceptions to the cotton rule.
• Synthetic: Synthetic fabrics, like polyester and nylon, are lightweight, quick-drying, and excellent at wicking moisture away from the skin. These materials are often used for base and mid layers, as they provide good warmth and breathability. However, they may not be as insulating as wool when wet.

Conclusion

Dressing for winter survival is about understanding the importance of layering and using the right materials for each layer. The base layer should wick moisture away from your skin, while the mid and outer layers provide insulation and protection from the elements. Finally, the reinforcement layer keeps you warm in extreme conditions with or without physical activity or fire.

By following these expert tips, you will be ready to face the cold and survive the winter elements with comfort and safety.Top of Form

Remember, even if all you are doing is walking around the block to test different layering systems, there is no such thing as a small adventure.

Stay safe, and warm, out there. See you on the adventure trail soon!

Hutch

Instructor Bio:

Aaron “Hutch” Hutchings is a seasoned survival, bushcraft, and wilderness living instructor with years of experience both as a student and a teacher. He is the owner of Ready Set Adventure Box (www.readysetadventurebox.com) and serves as a lead instructor at The Survival University (www.thesurvivaluniversity.com), where he teaches both beginner and advanced courses, as well as runs youth and family programs. Hutch has studied under some of the biggest names in the survival industry, and has even worked with a few of them directly.

A former Marine and lifelong Boy Scout, Hutch grew up immersed in outdoor skills, thanks in part to his grandfather, another outdoor instructor who used training with survival legends as rewards for achieving goals. Hutch is also the author of four books and brings a unique perspective to his teaching as someone who is autistic. His passion for survival skills and outdoor education shines through in every class he teaches.